In the early morning, after Sagiri distractedly finished breakfast, Mr. and Mrs. Izumi had already packed their suitcases and came downstairs.
"We need to rush to the airport, so today's dishwashing duty is yours, Chihiro."
Mrs. Izumi said with a smile.
"It's nothing, I'll have to get used to it anyway."
Izumi Chihiro replied calmly.
"Oh, and from now on, Sagiri's clothes are also your responsibility."
Mrs. Izumi whispered in his ear.
"Uh..."
Izumi Chihiro's expression also became blank.
"Sagiri, from now on, you must also listen to your brother obediently, don't be strong, and if you encounter any difficulties, then just openly act spoiled with him."
Mrs. Izumi bent down slightly, touching one side of her daughter's face, and spoke gently in her ear.
"Mm..."
Sagiri replied with low spirits.
"Chihiro, Sagiri, then we're leaving... Chihiro, remember to take good care of yourself and take good care of Sagiri."
Izumi Kotetsu didn't have much to say, leaving everything to his wife to handle, and after a single sentence, he said goodbye.
After the two had left the Izumi for a while.
"Kasan, Otosan, bye-bye...!"
Sagiri couldn't suppress her emotions, ran out, and waved loudly as she watched the two departing figures at the end of the street.
"Sagiri, bye-bye."
The latter also turned her head and waved back.
After they disappeared from sight, Sagiri couldn't suppress the emotions in her heart and turned to embrace her brother.
"Wuwuwu, Ni-san..."
The girl buried her head, crying with tears streaming down her face.
"..."
Izumi Chihiro remained silent, only smiling and gently stroking his sister's beautiful silver hair.
The time of farewell is always the most sorrowful.
It's the same for a brother in the family, and it's the same for a student at school.
After this weekend, the last few days of middle school arrived.
These days were primarily focused on exams, and everyone was too busy to think about anything else, until the last day of exams ended, and only then did they feel the sense of parting.
"Eriri, how do you feel about your performance on the exam?"
"Hmph, why even ask? It was perfect, of course!"
"Alright, stop showing off with foreign words; it only makes you seem more guilty."
"...Damn it! It's still possible that I passed!"
"Is that so? Looks like I don't have to worry about you being eliminated halfway through."
"In my opinion, you should be worrying about yourself! Take that!"
Izumi Chihiro and Eriri didn't feel much, as they were childhood friends who lived close to each other and had already agreed to attend Private Toyogasaki Academy together, so there was no pain of separation.
However, for many people, after middle school, it's basically hard to meet again. Even cherished friendships will gradually fade with time once they enter high school and a new environment. The people who can stay with you will only become fewer and fewer.
After entering society, true friendship becomes even more precious.
"By the way, Izumi, have you chosen a high school?"
Takasago Tomoe interjected, unwilling to be left out.
"What are you trying to do? You don't need to know about such things!"
Eriri's gaze immediately became wary.
"Sawamura Student, why are you so anxious? My parents have already decided for me, so I was just asking."
Takasago Tomoe pouted, feigning grievance.
She wasn't that anxious; anyway, both of them would buy books at her family's bookstore, so she wasn't worried about whether they could meet in the future.
"Hmph!"
Eriri glared at her with disdain.
"It should be Toyogasaki."
Izumi Chihiro replied.
"I see, so we're still going our separate ways."
Takasago Tomoe showed a look of regret.
"It seems this is fate."
Eriri's expression became a bit smug.
"Oh, right, Izumi, we've known each other for so long, I think it's time we started calling each other by our first names, don't you think?"
Takasago Tomoe completely ignored her and instead turned her head and said, "From now on, I'll call you Chihiro, and you can call me Tomoe."
This was the real purpose of the girl's conversation.
"Huh!?"
Eriri's expression immediately changed.
"Yes, that's fine."
Izumi Chihiro nodded.
"That's wonderful, Chihiro."
Takasago Tomoe clapped her small hands, revealing a gentle smile, completely disregarding Eriri, whose face had already darkened.
"What's there to be smug about? It's just a name! I've been calling Chihiro by his first name for at least eight years!"
The twin-tailed girl muttered softly.
This is very important!
On the other side.
"Maki's ambition is Otonokizaka Academy, what a shame, it seems we won't be able to attend high school together."
"..."
"But it's okay, I'll find time to chat with Maki every week."
"Mm."
Nishikino Maki's eyes held a faint sadness.
This was an unavoidable separation.
"It's okay, Maki might meet more wonderful friends in the future. I just hope you don't forget me then."
Ozaki Mako said softly.
"I won't forget you, Mako, you'll always be my best friend!"
Nishikino Maki said, biting her lip.
"You mean Izumi-kun, right?"
Ozaki Mako winked playfully.
"No, Izumi is a boy, it's different!"
Nishikino Maki vehemently denied it.
"Haha, if that's truly what Maki thinks in her heart, then I'm very happy."
Ozaki Mako replied, and before she could respond, she continued, "But there's no need to emphasize that. I just hope Maki, you can be happier in the future."
The girl was silent.
"Oh, right, Maki, it seems you forgot to do something, didn't you?"
At the moment of parting, Ozaki Mako suddenly reminded her.
Nishikino Maki felt a chill down her spine, suddenly realizing, then clenched her hand, looking forward, her gaze fixed on one person.
This was the last day.
Takasago Tomoe didn't hesitate at all, pulling him aside.
"Wait! Chihiro, you come here!"
After all, it was a commemorative graduation photo, and it was the last day, so Eriri didn't feign shyness, reaching out to grab him.
The scene of two girls fighting for a husband made everyone laugh endlessly.
"Ahem, are you ready? After I say three, two, one…"
The photographer in front coughed a few times, bringing everyone back to normal.
In the corner, surrounded by the two girls, Izumi Chihiro showed a rather forced smile.
"Click."
The scene froze in an instant.
It also symbolized the end of his middle school career.
💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter